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Honda Launching Urban Bike-Lane-Based Delivery System

Their zero-emission Fastport eQuad is designed to beat traffic

By Rain Noe - June 19

in Bikes

Honda has announced they're launching Fastport, a B2B venture for delivering packages in urban markets. The company has designed this Fastport eQuad, a electric quadricycle, specifically to haul packages using bike lanes, avoiding both emissions and traffic.

The eQuad runs on Honda's swappable Mobile Power Pack (MPP) batteries, reducing downtime. The UV-resistant canopy can be tinted for sunny cities, and a built-in fan helps keep the driver cool.

The company says they've designed both large and small cargo boxes (we assume the images here show the large unit) that can be customized for different delivery needs. The large panels on the side will presumably be used for branding.

Speaking of branding, I'm surprised by Honda's restraint; these days most manufacturers would have their name slathered all over the thing.

The eQuad will make its debut later this month at the Eurobike show in Germany. The Fastport service is scheduled to launch in North America and Europe later this year.

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Reynold Dodson

a day ago

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This is such a bad idea.

Bike lanes are for bikes, not delivery vehicles. Most bike lanes do not permit motorized vehicles (some bike cities have exceptions for eBikes). Though lack of enforcement means bike lane rules are universally ignored.

That aside, think about the reality of this kind of vehicle. It's looks difficult even dangerous to pass if you are on a bike. What happens when there are 10 in a row, effectively bogging down the bike lane to the point that you might as well weave in with the cars. Further, just a guess, but the delivery people who driver them (at least in the USA) will probably also park in the bike lane while they are making their delivery.

Why not make traffic lanes smaller in urban areas to encourage smaller vehicles. With smaller lanes, you can add delivery vehicle parking. In Europe and Japan, at least, there are many urban roads where large vehicles simply won't fit. The delivery economy has no problem handling these situations without need to take over biking or pedestrian infrastructure.

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Alan Nomoto

7 hours ago

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It may have been fine if it weren't marketed as a bicycle. It has a footprint larger than Honda Gyro Canopy scooter that many businesses use in Tokyo. Can't imagine store owners would be happy for one of those parked out in front while making multiple deliveries, especially if it were advertising a competitor.

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Zach W

9 hours ago

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Promise you they will be banned before they even hit the streets...

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Roger ak

14 hours ago

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A 900 pound full dress motorcycle can fit in a bike lane. Are they allowed to use them as well?
I would think these monsters would be very quickly banned in any place big enough to have bike lanes.
Bike lobby groups would fight them and motorists would get very tired of bicyclists darting out into car traffic to get around them.
They also seem a bit top heavy for something with such a narrow track.

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Anthony Towers

22 hours ago

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madness! they are too big for bike lanes!!

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